Bait Quality ?

[Brett's_daddy]

Okay, so I am a guy who has fished before but haven't for a long while, last year was the first time I've been fishing in almost 10 years. I've definitely gotten into bass fishing this year (IMO much more fun than trout fishing). My question is this...is there a real difference in quality of bait nowadays? In other words, do you have to spend top dollar on bait for best results or will the "Wal-Mart" baits like Strike King, Boo-Yah, Rebel, Arbogast etc. work just as well? I have some success with the less expensive bait but wonder if I'd have more success with a more expensive bait or if it's mostly a marketing ploy and for the amount of money involved you can catch just about as many fish with the economy baits as with the premium?

[bigbill]

I don't have many high dollar baits. I keep it affordable. Bomber cranks, rapala minnows, Norman thin N, etc. Look for clearances in Wal-Mart from January on. Out with the old stock and they replace it.

Look for clearances and bargains. A little at a time. Checkout tag sales too.

The success is the same.

[Scott F]

With a couple of exceptions, I seldom use the most expensive baits and tackle out there and I catch my share of bass. Putting the bait in the right spot is the most important thing.  A $30 bait where there are no fish won't catch a thing. Fish what you can afford. 

[Heron]

Those brands you listed as "Wal Mart" brands, are perfectly fine and highly effective.  They are very popular and make a good product, worry not. 

[FinCulture]

Those brands you listed as "Wal Mart" brands, are perfectly fine and highly effective.  They are very popular and make a good product, worry not. 

Agreed.  I wouldn't call Strike King, Rebel, and Arbogast "Walmart brands" They all make some quality tuff and can be found at Bass Pro Shops, Dick's, etc.

[MIbassyaker]

Some baits really are poor quality, but nothing wrong with the ones you mentioned - Strike-king and Booyah tend to be excellent quality for the price, and I think everyone should have a rebel craw and an arbogast jitterbug somewhere in the tackle box.

[Raul]

The only problem with "Walmart baits" is that so far the Walmarts I know literally have no baits of any kind whatsoever, of course you can't expect Walmart to carry lots of fishing stuff when right across the street there's an Academy sports.

[Choporoz]

I'm the 'cheapest' person I know.    I drive 10 miles and use half gallon of gas to save 2 cents per gallon.

 

That said, I have been buying better and more expensive baits and been happier.  The days of no-name Walmart and no-name FleaBay lots are past...for me.

[whitwolf]

With a couple of exceptions, I seldom use the most expensive baits and tackle out there and I catch my share of bass. Putting the bait in the right spot is the most important thing. A $30 bait where there are no fish won't catch a thing. Fish what you can afford. 

 

This Is all that needs to be said!

[Brett's_daddy]

I didn't mean to generalize the economical baits as "Wal-Mart", that's just where I've bought a lot but I also have bought those brands at Dick's (I find the actual bait and tackle shops to be higher priced on the same item than Wal-Mart and Dick's are otherwise I'd buy local but nowadays you have to buy where the best deals are...at least for my economic bracket .

[NotnatsSamoht]

I go to Cabelas every holiday because they usually have a $2.99 bin with a bunch of brands in it, I got a bunch of strike king and xcalibur stuff last time.

[papajoe222]

Don't confuse Price with quality.  In many cases one does reflect the other, but there are many quality fishing lures that I don't consider pricey.  Then again, to me $8 for a crank, $7 for a spinnerbait, or $4.50 for a jig isn't pricey while to others they may be.  A $4 crank that I need to switch out hooks and split rings, to me,  isn't a bargain. Getting that $8 one for $6.49 is. 

Yes, that $4 crank will catch fish and a cheap set of socket wrenches will get the nut off of a bolt, but if you work on cars regularly, their ugly side becomes apparent in short order. In the long run, I believe you get what you pay for.

[Fun4Me]

I drive 10 miles and use half gallon of gas to save 2 cents per gallon.

 

 

 

It's cheaper to just buy the gas for 2 cents more a gallon, at the store close to your house, unless you're buying more than 60 gallons. ( Gas is about $2.40 a gallon here )

[Choporoz]

I might have exaggerated a little

[ThatZX14Fella]

I've caught my biggest bass on the $1 spinnerbaits.They're cheap, so it doesn't bother me if I lose them, and they seem to run fine for me. As long as it catches fish, I don't care if it only costs a penny. I do splurge sometimes and get Lucky Craft or War Eagle or something, but I generally stick to the cheap stuff since I tend to not use the more expensive baits I buy in fear of losing them. I bought a Lucky Craft squarebill and I've only used it a couple of times because I'm scared of losing it. If you can afford high end baits, go for it, if not, the bargain bin works just fine.

[papajoe222]

I've caught my biggest bass on the $1 spinnerbaits.They're cheap, so it doesn't bother me if I lose them, and they seem to run fine for me. As long as it catches fish, I don't care if it only costs a penny. I do splurge sometimes and get Lucky Craft or War Eagle or something, but I generally stick to the cheap stuff since I tend to not use the more expensive baits I buy in fear of losing them. I bought a Lucky Craft squarebill and I've only used it a couple of times because I'm scared of losing it. If you can afford high end baits, go for it, if not, the bargain bin works just fine.

I'm guessing you fish from shore where loosing baits is a much bigger concern. Otherwise, why wouldn't you throw that LC?

[ThatZX14Fella]

Actually, I got a kayak not long ago. Just really don't wanna lose a bait I spent that much on. Lol I bought it to fish, but I lose baits more often than I care to admit.

[Brett's_daddy]

Oh we've lost a few of our crank baits that cost $6.22 each at Wal-Mart/Dick's...the KVD one's. We fish 99% from shore so I've been able to wade in and save a few but most of the time it's lost for good . It doesn't stop us from using them though...don't know if that's smart or not...lol.

[blckshirt98]

One of the locals (Jason Borofka) fishes on the FLW tour and he said he's caught the majority of his fish on Zoom trick worms.  He also uses S-Wavers for his glide baits.  Nothing fancy is needed if you know how to find the fish and know how to present your bait.

[Jaw1]

I used to be guilty of buying higher end tackle (LC, MB,Sebile,jackl) and not using them for fear of losing them but finally decided what's the point. I'm going to throw it and if I loose its just fate. That being said I prefer SK squarebills to LC and catch more fish on bandits than any other crankbait I have. I believe that some of the higher end stuff is better (MB vision 110 can't be beat IMO) but confidence in whatever your fishing with is the main key to success.

[collards]

I might have exaggerated a little

Are you a fisherman?

[A-Jay]

The single, most important, must have "Quality"  that every bait I purchase needs,

is that Bass like to eat it.

 

I can manage the split ring & after-market treble hook upgrade when needed all by myself.

 

A-Jay

[ww2farmer]

I do just fine with what some people consider "cheap" stuff....$2.99/bag Yum and Havoc baits, Strike King and Storm hardbaits, Booyah and Strike King Frogs, Original Power Pro braid, Seguar Red Label fluoro,  VMC hooks/terminal tackle, jigs I make my self with Boss components that don't cost me anywhere near as much per jig as even some of the less expensive brands of jigs, sub $100 casting reels, $50 spinning reels,  $100 or less off the shelf rods or custom made rods using very basic and economical components, and a slow, modestly equipped aluminum bass boat.